Rangers learning harsh truth about trading Panarin

The New York Rangers are learning a harsh truth about the ongoing saga that has become the Artemi Panarin trade.

Dec 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) skates with the puck against Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesTrading Artemi Panarin should have been a slam dunk for the New York Rangers. Just about every team in the league would have been interested in the Russian superstar. Some clubs would have been willing to massively overpay.

Along the way, Panarin would have been able to choose a team to his liking, while…